Silicates?

[NanaReefer]

I have a 5g food grade container. Add 5g water, 2 1/2 cups salt mix. Add salt slowly stirring often. Add power head, let mix for 24hrs.
Remove 5g from DT, return 5g into sump.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have a 5g food grade container. Add 5g water, 2 1/2 cups salt mix. Add salt slowly stirring often. Add power head, let mix for 24hrs.
Remove 5g from DT, return 5g into sump.

The water is RO/DI at 0 ppm TDS?

 

[NanaReefer]

Yes. Brand new meter, even though my old one read 0.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You could try switching to normal IO for a bit. It has no organic matter added to it.

 

[NanaReefer]

Ok will do. Thanks Randy. Happy Reefing! [emoji2]

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Same to you.

 

[NanaReefer]

Besides talking to you @AZDesertRat mentioned two other possibilities. One being disturbance, the other shock from changes.
When I do my WC I remove 5g of water from my DT. But replace the water into my sump, skimmer/overflow chamber. When the water reaches a certain height in the sump I start the return pump.
Could it be that I'm disturbing something in my sump to cause the issue?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Besides talking to you @AZDesertRat mentioned two other possibilities. One being disturbance, the other shock from changes.
When I do my WC I remove 5g of water from my DT. But replace the water into my sump, skimmer/overflow chamber. When the water reaches a certain height in the sump I start the return pump.
Could it be that I'm disturbing something in my sump to cause the issue?

I'm not sure, but it is easy enough to do it differently one time (slowly and carefully) so as not to disturb anything and see if that makes a difference.

 

[brandon4432]

I have the same exact problem and I do not know how to get it to reside!

 

[NanaReefer]

I have the same exact problem and I do not know how to get it to reside!

What salt mix are you using? What substrate did you start out with? I'm looking for similarities in hopes of pinning down the cause.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, if a trace element such as iron is limiting growth of something, then water changes may boost the growth of that organism temporarily.

 

[NanaReefer]

My main reason for doing WC's is excess nutrient export. Otherwise I believe my corals get what they need through light, fish food and waste.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My main reason for doing WC's is excess nutrient export. Otherwise I believe my corals get what they need through light, fish food and waste.

Maybe. But some trace elements have either been shown to be depleted with sophisticated testing (such as Triton) or by the biological effects when dosed (such as macroalgae turning greener when iron is dosed).

 

[brandon4432]

What salt mix are you using? What substrate did you start out with? I'm looking for similarities in hopes of pinning down the cause.

As of now instant ocean sea salt. I will soon transition to Red Sea coral pro Salt. I used arag-alive Fiji pink sand.

 

[NanaReefer]

As of now instant ocean sea salt. I will soon transition to Red Sea coral pro Salt. I used arag-alive Fiji pink sand.

Oh wow!! I used the exact same substrate!! Have been plagued with this issue since day one. It's been over a year!! I've often thought that this was the cause. It's never been right nor looked good.

 

[brandon4432]

Oh wow!! I used the exact same substrate!! Have been plagued with this issue since day one. It's been over a year!! I've often thought that this was the cause. It's never been right nor looked good.

Wow. I've been battling this for a long time hoping it would subside. If it is indeed the substrate, I will have to change it out gradually which is such a grievance

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd suggest starting a new thread, maybe in the Reef Discussion forum, with that substrate in the title to see what others have observed.

 

[inetjnky]

My tank currently with pink Fiji...Caribsea.

 

[NanaReefer]

Started a new thread like Randy suggested. @Morangus....it's possible you're going through the normal new tank Diatom bloom. My particular issue has been going on for going on 2yrs. Please keep us posted if yours doesn't clear up after several months.

 

[inetjnky]

I suspect it is too. Thought I'd mention the substrate non the less.